Community raises SR17m, Yanbu prisoner freed

Saudi Gazette – After spending five years in jail, young Hussein Al-Rashidi, known as the Yanbu prisoner, was pardoned after paying SR17 million raised for him by members of the community.

His family thanked Madinah Emir Prince Faisal Bin Salman, for his support and for urging philanthropists to donate for securing Hussein’s release.

The prisoner’s father Ali Al-Rashidi was grateful his son escaped the sword. He said: “This turned my life from misery to happiness. I shook the hands of my son after five years behind bars.”

Hussein was engaged to marry one of his cousins, but the family had to postpone the wedding until he was freed from prison. “Now all of us will rejoice by celebrating his marriage,” said Ali Al-Rashidi.